Luke W. Moody, former director of film programming at Sheffield DocFest, has been named head of the BFI Doc Society Fund, Doc Society announced July 4.
“In this role, Luke will lead the BFI Doc Society team in managing all aspects of the UK-wide BFI Doc Society Fund; the features and shorts slate and talent development programme. In addition Luke will collaborate with Doc Society directors Shanida Scotland and Sandra Whipham on the strategic direction of Doc Society’s role as the BFI’s UK-wide delegate partner for documentary,” said Doc Society, BFI’s delegate partner for documentary as part of the BFI’s new National Lottery strategy.
The statement also underlined that the BFI Doc Society Fund for Feature Film funding is now open for business, with grants available up to a maximum of £150,000 per feature documentary film or immersive non-fiction project.
Luke W Moody
Between 2017 and 2019 Moody was Director of Film Programming at Sheffield DocFest. Previously he was Head of Film at Doc Society, co-commissioning long-form docs that included the Academy Award-winning Citizenfour, and the Academy Award-nominated Virunga, The Square and Dirty Wars.
In a story published in Screen International, Moody commented: “I’m pleased to come to a space where some of the most radical and fearless cinema exists. Through collective care, risk and production I believe this fund is here to serve non-fiction filmmakers and artists to create and share a new culture of reflection, a cinema of questioning, and lasting images of the real.”
Doc Society Director Shanida Scotland added: “The BFI Doc Society Fund is in a new and exciting phase – even more committed to enabling independent non-fiction filmmaking in the UK, being representative of all of UK society, building on a commitment to enable filmmakers to access freedom of creative expression and creative risk taking that expands the form and we are totally committed to ensuring audiences are able to access independent documentary filmmaking. In Luke we see someone who has a track record as a passionate champion for independent non-fiction film nationally and who continually prioritises making space for fresh and emerging talent. We are thrilled to work with Luke and excited to bring him into the team at this moment.”
Feature Film Funding
Grants are now available up to a maximum amount of £150,000 per feature documentary film or immersive non-fiction project, BFI Doc Society Fund announced. The Feature Fund is open on a rolling basis, with awards being made throughout the year. “Initial expressions of interest are now open for submission,” the Fund writes.
The fund can support:
- Documentaries intended for theatrical release
- Projects at any stage of production – early development, development, pre-production, production, post-production
- First time feature filmmakers and more experienced filmmakers
- Hybrid forms
- Immersive non-fiction work
The fund cannot support:
- Completed projects seeking an award for distribution, festival attendance or impact campaigns.
- Filmed productions such as a theatre show, sporting or music event
- Artist installations
- Documentaries intended primary for broadcast television or online platforms i.e factual, non-scripted
- Episodic works
“The BFI Doc Society Fund, made possible thanks to National Lottery funding, supports and nurtures independent non-fiction films and immersive projects by UK filmmakers: prioritising expansive, director-led storytelling. Our funding is intended to be transformative and representative of all UK society,” the Fund writes.
“The fund supports emerging talent and more established directors, and recognises the quality of difference in perspective, the importance of who is telling the story and strong collaborations. We invite local and global stories and encourage films that take creative leaps and bring fresh vision to the form,” the Fund adds.
